The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-05-27

ing his spurs into Ills horses tanks. hc went
like fash away from the accursed spot; nor
did he draw rein till he came to his own
place, ten miles away. Twice the horse fell
In the darkness. for there WIS no moon. the
second time throwing him heavily, but b,
only dragged II up with q curse, aud, spring
ing into the saddle again, fled on as before.
Thus did the man who did not hesitate e
plot and to execute the cruel slaughter of un
offending mel cover beneath the fancie,l echo
Of a dead woman's voice! Truly human ma
ture IL full of contradictions.
When the thunder OF the horses hoofs grew
faint Jantje emerged from one Of his hiding
places, and, throwing himself down In the
center of the dusty road, kicked and rolled
with delight, shaking all the while with al
inward Joy that his habits Of caution would
not permit him to give audible vent to. His
mothers voice, his mothers words, IT." he quoted
to himself "How should he know that Jantje
remembers the old woman's voice-ay, and
the words that the devil In her spoke tool
Hee! Hee! Heel"
Bessie fled without stopping till she reached
the orange trees in front Of the veranda,
where, treasured by the lights from the win
dows, she paused to consider Not that she
was troubled by Jantje's mysterious bowling:
indeed, she was too preoccupied to give it q
second thought. What she was debating was
whether she should say anything about her
encounter with Frank Muller. After pausing
for few seconds to pick branch of orange
blossom and to become herself generally,
which, not being Historically inclined, she
very soon did, she quietly entered the house
as though nothing had happened. The very
first person size met was John himself, who
had come in by the back way. He laughed
at her orange blossom bouquet, and said that
it was most appropriate, and then proceeded
to embrace her tenderly in the passage; and
indeed he would have been q poor sort Of
lover if he had not. It was exactly at this
juncture that old Silas Croft happened to
open the sitting room door and come full upon
this tender and attractive tableau.
"Well, 1 neverl" said the old gentleman.
"What is the meaning of all this, Bcssie!"
OF course there was nothing for it but to
come in and explain the facts of the case
which John did with much humming and
ha-ing and general awkwardness of manner
that battles description, while Bessie stood by,
her hand upon her lovers shoulder, blushing
as red as any rose.
The old man listened in silence till John
hal fnished-a smile upon his face and a
kindly twinkle IN his keen eyes.
49," he said, "that is what you young
people have been after, is it? I suppose that
you want to enlarge your interests in the
farm, eh, John! WE'LL upon my word, don't
blame you; you might have gone farther and
Jared worse. These sort of things never come
singly, it seems had another request for
your hand, my dear, only this afternoon from
that scoundrel Frank Muller, of all men in
the world" md his face darkened as he said
the name. u sent him off with flea in his
ear, I can tell you. Had known then what
l know now should have refer!~l him to
John. There, there! He is bad man and a
dangerous man, but let him be- He is taking
of these days Well, my dears, this is the
best bit of news that have heard for many
long day. It is time you got married, both
of you, for il is not right for man to live
alone, or woman either. have done it oil
my life, and that is the conclusion have
come to after thinking the matter over some
where about tiftyVears. Yes, you have my
consent and my blessing, too: and you will
have something more one day before so very
long Take her, John, take her. have led
rough life, but l have seen something Of
women for all of that, and tell you that
there is not sweeter or better or a prettier
woman in south Africa than Bessie Croft,
and in wanting to marry her you have shown
your sense God bless you both, my dears.
And now, Bessie, come and give your old
uncle kiss. hope that you won't let John
quite drive me out of your head; that's all.
For you see, my dear. having no children of
my own, have managed to get very fond Of
you in the last twelve years or So"
Bessie came and kissed the old man. ten
derby.
"No, uncle" she said, neither John nor
anybody nor anything in the world can do
that" and it was evident from her manner
that she meant what she said. Bessie had
large heart and was not at all the person to
let her lover drive her uncle and benefactor
out Of his share of it.